Sexual Harassment and Social Media at Center of Virginia Firefighter’s Suicide

Posted by: Curt Varone April 23, 2016 2 Comments

The suicide of a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue firefighter appears to be the result of sex-based cyber-bullying, perhaps precipitated by her colleagues.

The body of firefighter Nicole Mittendorff was found earlier this week in Shenandoah National Park after an exhaustive six-day search. According to the medical examiner, Mittendorff’s death was a suicide from hanging.

Dave Statter has more on this tragic story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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